Severe Storms Target Cubs-White Sox: Hour-by-Hour Timeline
Chicago Weather Forecast: Storms Might Crash the Crosstown Classic Baseball Game
Quick Summary: The Chicago area is expecting several rounds of thunderstorms this week, starting Tuesday evening—right when the Cubs and White Sox are scheduled to play Game 2 of their Crosstown Classic series at Wrigley Field.
What’s Happening Right Now?
The Chicago area has already dealt with lots of severe weather recently. Now, Mother Nature might interrupt the big baseball rivalry series between the Chicago Cubs (North Side) and Chicago White Sox (South Side).
- Game 1: Cubs won Monday night in dramatic fashion
- Game 2: Scheduled for Tuesday at 7:05 PM at Wrigley Field (North Side)
- The Problem: Thunderstorms could arrive right at game time
Important Weather Alerts Right Now
CALLOUT: ACTIVE WEATHER ALERT
Severe Thunderstorm Watch in effect until 10:00 PM Tuesday for:
- Southern Wisconsin
- Kenosha County (just north of Chicago)
Day-by-Day Forecast Breakdown
Tuesday Night – Game Time
Risk Level: "Marginal" (Level 1 out of 5 on the severe weather scale)
Main Threats:
- Gusty winds over 60 mph
- Heavy downpours (localized flooding possible)
- Timing: Storms could arrive right around 7–8 PM – exactly when the game starts
Uncertainty: Storms may be scattered (hit-or-miss). Some areas get drenched; others stay dry.
Focus Areas: Northern suburbs and Chicago proper
Wednesday Morning
- Leftover showers/storms push south across I-80 into southern suburbs
- Still scattered – some neighborhoods see multiple rounds of rain; others see almost none
Wednesday Afternoon
- A cold front swings through
- Another round of scattered to isolated storms
- Good news: Not expected to be severe
- Watch for: Locally heavy rain
Thursday – The Nice Day
- Quiet weather returns
- Highs in the low 80s
- Partly to mostly sunny skies
- Perfect recovery day!
Friday – Mostly Dry, Late Storms Possible
- Most of the day: Clear, highs near 80°
- Late day/evening: Chance of showers/storms developing
- Could linger into Saturday morning
- Severe potential? Unclear at this time
Saturday – Cooler with Storm Chances
- Scattered showers and thunderstorms again
- Cooler air arrives behind another front
- Overnight lows dipping into the 50s (brrr!)
Sunday – Back to Beautiful
- Quiet pattern settles in
- Highs in the mid-70s
- Partly to mostly sunny
- Extends into early next work week
Numbered Timeline: What to Watch This Week
- Tuesday 7–10 PM: Highest impact – storms during Crosstown Classic Game 2
- Wednesday AM: Lingering showers push south
- Wednesday PM: Cold front triggers round 2 (non-severe)
- Thursday: Best day of the week – enjoy it!
- Friday Night: Storms may return late
- Saturday: Cooler, wetter, overnight lows in 50s
- Sunday+: Dry, pleasant, mid-70s
Summary
| Day | Weather | High Temp | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue | Storms likely 7–10 PM | ~80° | Game time risk! Marginal severe risk |
| Wed | AM / PM | ~80° | Two rounds; PM not severe |
| Thu | Sunny & nice | Low 80s | Best day |
| Fri | Late storms | ~80° | Watch evening |
| Sat | Scattered storms | Cooler | Lows in 50s! |
| Sun | Quiet & pleasant | Mid 70s | Pattern improves |
Bottom Line: If you’re heading to Wrigley Tuesday night, bring a poncho and check for delays. The rest of the week is a rollercoaster – one gorgeous day (Thursday), then more storms, then a beautiful weekend finish.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Will the Cubs vs. White Sox game be cancelled Tuesday night?
Not necessarily cancelled, but delays are very likely. MLB typically waits out storms rather than cancelling immediately. Since storms are scattered, they may play through breaks in the weather. Check the Cubs’ official social media or MLB app for real-time updates.
What does "Marginal Risk" mean for severe weather?
It’s the lowest level (1 out of 5) on the Storm Prediction Center’s scale. It means isolated severe storms are possible – mainly strong wind gusts over 60 mph – but widespread severe weather is not expected.
Why are the storms "scattered" instead of widespread?
"Scattered" means storms will be hit-or-miss. Think of it like a sprinkler vs. a fire hose – some neighborhoods get soaked, others a few miles away stay completely dry. This makes forecasting exact locations very tricky.
When will it stop raining this week?
Thursday is your completely dry day. After that, Sunday through early next week looks consistently quiet and pleasant.
How cold will it get this weekend?
Saturday night into Sunday morning could see temperatures drop into the 50s – the coolest air of the forecast period. Have a light jacket handy!
Stay Weather Aware: Download the NBC 5 Chicago weather app or follow @NBC5StormTeam for live radar updates and any warning changes throughout the week.